Tories shovel $1.3 million into Surrey before writ was dropped

SURREY â€” The Conservative government started shoveling money into Surrey on Friday, two days before the federal election writ was dropped.

On Friday Nina Grewal, MP for Fleetwood-Port Kells announced $1.1 million has been earmarked for six community projects in Surrey, under the Government of Canadaâ€™s Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program.

Grewal said $250,000 will be spent on renovations to the Newton Seniorsâ€™ Centre, $150,000 on upgrades to the Newton Cultural Centre, $100,000 to replace Bridgeview Community Hallâ€™s roof, and $300,000 to replace Newton Libraryâ€™s roof. Also, $225,000 will be spent upgrading and renovating the Guildford Recreation Centre and $75,000 will be spent to replace the climate control system at the Surrey Art Centre.

â€œAs we look towards the 150th anniversary of Confederation, we are helping all Canadians celebrate this important milestone, while leaving a lasting legacy of improved local infrastructure,â€ Grewal said.

â€œInfrastructure has always been a priority for me, whether it has been roads, bridges, public buildings or public transit.â€

Also on Friday, Delta-Richmond East Conservative MP and Minister of National Revenue Kerry-Lynne Findlay was at the Centre for Child Development in Whalley to announce $220,000 in funding over two years to support Sophieâ€™s Place Child Advocacy Centre. The plan is to provide the centre with $110,000 in 2015-16 and $110,000 in 2016-17.

Meanwhile, Grewalâ€™s NDP rival Garry Begg, who is hoping to unseat her in Fleetwood-Port Kells, is slamming the Tories â€œfailure to tackle Surrey crime.

â€œIâ€™ve been a police officer for over 38 years,â€ the retired Surrey Mountie said. â€œThe Conservatives donâ€™t seem to be serious about tackling crime in Surrey. The Conservatives promised 100 additional RCMP officers after repeated calls from the NDP but they just arenâ€™t delivering.â€

Only six of 94 have been deployed to date, he noted.

â€œResidents of Fleetwood-Port Kells are demanding answers from the Conservatives and Ms. Grewal but it seems like they are more concerned about their re-election,â€ Begg charged. â€œItâ€™s time the Conservatives stop playing games and get serious about crime in Surrey.â€